Storyboards can be used, as students are reading, to keep a character reference log. A character map allows students to recall important information on characters. When reading a novel, little attributes often return to become an important plot details. Through the use of character mapping students will catch this information, and will be able to follow the fine points which make reading more enjoyable.
By clicking "Use This Assignment", both the example above and a blank template will copy into your account. Feel free to use them as is or edit them to make it easier. (Or harder for more advanced classes!) The easiest way to use this is to print it as worksheets for your students to complete while reading.
For The Outsiders, a character map helps students remember who belongs to each gang. It also provides a reference for discussing how each was involved in the fighting.
| Ponyboy Curtis | Protagonist, Greaser | Darrel "Darry" Curtis | The oldest brother, gave up a promising football career to take care of his brothers after parents' death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodapop Curtis | Brother of Ponyboy and Darrel, Greaser | Two-Bit Mathews | Greaser, known for his switchblade |
| Steve Randle | Friends with Sodapop, thinks Ponyboy is annoying | Dallas “Dally” Winston | Toughest Greaser |
| Johnny Cade | Ponyboy's best friend | Sandy | Sodapop's girlfriend |
| Cherry Valance | Soc girl, dating Bob | Marcia | Friend of Cherry |
| Bob Sheldon | Soc, dies in fight | Paul Holden | Soc who challenges Darrel |
| Jerry Wood | A man that looks down on the gangs, despite Johnny and Ponyboy saving the children from the burning church | Tim Shepard | Leader of a different group of Greasers, friend of Dallas |
| Curly Shepard | Tim's tough younger brother, has a criminal record at the age of 15 | Mr. Syme | Ponyboy's English teacher |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters in The Outsiders.
If there is a long list of characters in a story, students are likely to feel overwhelmed. Offering them a template to keep track of the characters is extremely helpful, and gives them a place to write down their ideas and the little details about each of the characters.
How characters interact in the story is of extreme importance. Assist students in understanding which characters are Greasers and which are Socials, who is related, and who is going out with whom. There are many people to keep track of and students will benefit from your assistance in figuring out who is who.
Using a storyboard template will focus students as they find evidence about the characters in the book. They can write down quotes, explain character motivations, draw a picture of the characters, and keep all of their ideas together in one place.
Often young readers miss important details in a story as they read. By having students use character maps, they can keep track of little details and go back to reference them, thereby noticing the more intricate details that make up characterization. What seems unimportant at the time can have true importance as the story progresses.
A character's motivation is the reason why he or she does something. Understanding character motivation is integral for understanding the character's decisions and movements in a story. It is the heart of makes a character a character.
Even in fiction, characters do not exist in a vacuum. They are intricately tied to the other characters in books and the relationships they have are extremely important. Characters can influence other characters for positive or negative, and studying these relationships is important to understanding the books as a whole.